Perkins Is Fighting Time In Putting Together Roster

August 9, 1987|By Jerry Greene of The Sentinel Staff

With the first preseason game less than one week away, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach Ray Perkins is a man with a growing concern for time, as he and his staff strive to put together a 45-man team out of the 90 individuals in camp. Nothing can be done about inherent skills. But Perkins rigorously is attacking the areas that can be improved -- conditioning, knowledge and attitude.

He's far from satisfied.

The Bucs conducted a 98-play scrimmage Thursday. After reviewing the films, Perkins said: ''The films confirm that we are a long way from being a football team. We're not even close.''

On Saturday, Perkins stressed that the Bucs would keep the best 45 men available -- within reason. That ''within reason'' clause means, for example, that Perkins must keep some defensive linemen even though he may have doubts about how many of them truly will be among the best 45 players available.

How are the Bucs shaping up after three weeks of three-a-day training? Here's a quick look at the team:

QUARTERBACK: No problem. Perkins says veteran Steve DeBerg was his best quarterback Thursday, but rookie Vinny Testaverde is coming along well.

RUNNING BACKS: James Wilder is back at fullback, and rookies Don Smith and Steve Bartalo are leading the candidates at tailback. The biggest problem is finding someone other than Wilder who can block.

DEFENSIVE LINE: This still is the club's weakest position. Dolphins reject Mike Charles could help considerably if he wants to play.

LINEBACKERS: With Jeff Davis back, this is the strongest area on defense. Likely starters right now are Davis and Ervin Randle on the inside, with Chris Washington and rookie Winston Moss on the outside.

SECONDARY: There is reasonable talent and a real battle for all starting roles. Rookie Ricky Reynolds, after a slow start, is coming on quickly. Cornerback Bobby Futrell demanded attention Thursday with two interceptions.

KICKERS: Donald Igwebuike is set as kicker, but Perkins has not been pleased with either incumbent punter Frank Garcia or rookie Greg Davis. The Bucs might pick up somebody waived by another team.

SUMMATION: The rookie class looks excellent. It is likely that about 13 rookies will make the team. And as many as six rookies may start. Though that indicates long-range promise, it does not speak well for the immediate future. NOTES: Bartalo had surgery on his right thumb to repair a tendon injury. He will not scrimmage for about three weeks, although he could play wearing a cast if this were the regular season. . . . The Bucs will go from three-a-day practices down to two Thursday, then devote Friday to fine-tuning for Saturday night's preseason opener at home against Cincinnati. Even in preseason, the Bengals' explosive attack should be a severe test for the Bucs' defense.